Disk Write Caching is Disabled?

When I used BootVis, I saw the following:

Warning! Disk Write Caching is Disabled.

Questions:

1) Should I enable Disk Write Caching?
2) If yes, how is that done?
3) Which would be the optimal values for Read and Write disk caching?
4) As in older versions, does XP also have cache files where one puts minimum and maximum file sizes?

TIA,

 

I have read that BootVis disables Write Caching to enable it to perform its tests, then turn it back on when it completes. I have always ignored that message.

If you are curious though, you can check to see that its enabled by looking in Device Manager > Disks > Right click your hard drive listed > Policies > and verify the box is tagged. I don't believe it has any user set parameters of late. Mine was enabled by default and I choose to leave it that way. There is a slight risk of losing data or corrupting files if power fails prior to the write back of the cache but it's a minimal risk as far as I am concerned. I prefer the speed improvement it delivers.

Cheers.

 

Thanks a lot, Zephir. The box enabled in "enable write caching" is "optimize performance ". and all the "policies" page is greyed out, and as you say, I'll leaving alone. Clearly write caching is enabled, and properly working. As you say, probably a BootVis feature.

But now I have a further question, out of sheer curiosity:

It says: if you want to disconnect this device, click the Safely Remove Hardware in the Task Bar notification area.

What is this? How do you find it?

Thanks,

 

Sorry for a faulty quotation. It says:

"Click the Safely Remove Hardware Icon from the task bar notification aerea ".

No such Icon appears in my Task Bar notification area.

Does this mean, that, even if I wanted, there is no way to disable this device?

Thanks again

 

guivon That option only applies to certain devices that meet the criteria for Safe removal. When you select one of those types, the icon mentioned will appear above in the Task Bar.

Suffice to say, most devices don't meet the hot swapping requirement that would make them Safe Removal devices.